ABB joins energy R&D partnership

ABB is contributing $5m toward a new energy research partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study nanofluids, power electronics, intelligent robotics and equipment heat management.

The

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(MIT) and

ABB

have formed a partnership on energy research.

ABB will join MIT’s Energy Initiative (MITEI) and support research in areas including nanofluids, power electronics, intelligent robotics and equipment heat management. As a Sustaining Member of MITEI, ABB will have a seat on the MITEI governing board.

‘An MITEI partnership with ABB creates enormous opportunities to provide technology solutions to global energy challenges,’ said Professor Ernest Moniz, drector of the MIT Energy Initiative. ‘The ABB corporate portfolio offers a range of potential research focus areas in which MIT has substantial research capability and could make a major contribution. ABB’s commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is especially exciting from a research perspective.’

‘This partnership is another significant step in ABB’s strategy of combining our leading industrial technology competence with cutting edge international research,’ added Peter Terwiesch, ABB’s chief technology officer. ‘New technology is the key to tapping the potential of energy efficiency in the face of the soaring demand and increasing environmental concerns.’

In addition to supporting the research program, ABB’s five-year, $5m collaboration will support graduate fellowships and MITEI’s energy research ‘seed fund’. The fund was set up to promote the development of energy technologies and concepts from researchers across the institute.